Huntington Acquires New Paintings, Screen Prints Highlighting 2 Centuries of British Artwork

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino has added a series of new paintings and screen prints to its collection, including a recently uncovered painting by John Singleton Copley, the institution announced Wednesday.

The new acquisitions include a “newly discovered painting by John Singleton Copley (1738–1815) depicting celebrated 18th-century British actress Mary Robinson,” along with paintings by British artists Alice Mary Chambers (ca. 1855–1920) and Madeline Green (1884–1947), as well as a set of screenprints by R.B. Kitaj (1932–2007), The Huntington said in a written statement. Both Copley and Kitaj were born in America but did their work in England.

“The acquisitions were funded by The Huntington’s Art Collectors’ Council at its annual meeting last month,” the statement said. “In addition, longtime council members Hannah and Russel Kully purchased as a promised gift for The Huntington a painting by the 19th-century British artist and designer Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898). The painting, a portrait of the artist’s daughter, had been kept in the family since it was painted around 1888.”

Christina Nielsen, Hannah and Russel Kully Director of the Art Museum at The Huntington, said the new pieces represent a significant expansion of the museum’s collection.

“This year we cover 200 years of British art history and bridge the Atlantic, celebrating the interconnected web of American and British art,” she said. “In this group are masterpieces, rarities, works by under-recognized female artists, and works that tie together different collection areas at The Huntington in intriguing ways. Together, they amplify our collection’s strengths and further its reach into the 20th century, all thanks to the generosity of our Art Collectors’ Council.”

Nielsen also expressed gratitude to the Kully family.

“Words fail to express the depth of our gratitude for their indefatigable commitment to The Huntington’s art collections,” she said. “With this Burne-Jones portrait, we will be able to share with visitors a rare and arresting work that expands our great William Morris collection to reveal a very personal look at his artistic partner.”

More information about the new acquisitions is available on The Huntington’s website at huntington.org/news/huntington-acquires-john-singleton-copley-painting.

Previously closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Huntington has begun a phased reopening process, according to the institution. The gardens were open, while the galleries remained closed.

All guests, including members, are required to reserve tickets online in advance. A series of safety protocols have been put in place.

More information, including instructions to reserve tickets, are available online at huntington.org.